Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KABUL2037
2006-05-07 04:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
PRT/HELMAND - HELMAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
how-toVZCZCXRO6227 OO RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHYG DE RUEHBUL #2037 1270412 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 070412Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0044 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC//JF/UNMA// RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3// RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RHMFIUU/COMSOCCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2520 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2688 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 5933 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 1345
UNCLAS KABUL 002037
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SA/FO (AMB MQUINN),SA/A, S/CR, SA/PAB,
S/CT, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
OSD FOR BREZINSKI
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD
REL NATO/AUST/NZ/ISAF
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER AF
SUBJECT: PRT/HELMAND - HELMAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
ELECTS NEW UPPER HOUSE MEMBER
(SBU) SUMMARY: Helmands Provincial Council (PC)
exercised its constitutional duty and elected one of
its members, Abdul Wahib, to replace Haji Ataullah,
the deceased Upper House (Meshrano Jirga) member
from Helmand. Abdul Wahib had also served as the
PCs secretary. The election appeared to go
smoothly. END SUMMARY.
¶2. (SBU) The election took place late in the day
of May 3. In accordance with the Afghan
constitution, the PC was charged to elect one of its
own members to replace a deceased Upper House
member. Election observers included two officials
from the United Nations Assistance Mission to
Afghanistan, a number of provincial office
directors, and local press.
¶3. (SBU) There were four candidates, including one
female:
--Abdul Wahid, who received six votes;
--Haji Talib, who received three votes;
--Reza Ghul (female),who received two votes; and
--Mohammed Naim, who received three votes.
¶4. (SBU) On May 4, PC deputy chairman Urzghani
told PRT poloff that the observers were satisfied
with how the procedures were followed. He also
noted that, while there were four candidates, the PC
members who were not elected appeared to accept the
outcome in good spirits. The PC will also have to
elect a new secretary, he added.
¶5. (SBU) Per the constitution, the PC candidate
with the next highest number of votes in last
Septembers election will take a seat on the PC.
Accordingly, Engineer Mohammed Ismail from Sarwan
Qala village in Sangin district, will be the new PC
member. Ismail is from the Alokazai tribe, has a
grade 12 education and was formerly the head of the
Lashkar Gah branch of the communist party. It is
believed that he cultivates opium poppy and has ties
to local traffickers.
¶6. (SBU) The new Upper House member, Abdul Wahid,
belongs to the Barakzai tribe. He is from Karez
village near Qali-Y-Bost (about 10 km south of
Lashkar Gah). His education level is grade 9. He
has no known narcotics ties and is considered
relatively honest and progressive. He owns a
pharmacy business in Lashkar Gah.
¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: While it is reasonable to
assume that there was some behind the scenes
maneuvering, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of
this election was how it proceeded according to
established guidelines in an orderly fashion within
the allotted timeframe. In that sense, it could be
viewed as a good step forward for the PC and its
ability to carry out the democratic process. END
COMMENT.
NEUMANN